"Graduate Research Assistant (with possibility to undertake a PhD)"

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to support the work of Dr. Yu Hsuan Carol Yang. This full-time Wellcome-funded post is available from 1st September 2026 on a fixed-term basis for four years. The successful applicant will take a leading role in projects focused on understanding how the crosstalk between the nervous system and the endocrine pancreas impacts glucose homeostasis in health and disease. The Yang lab is part of the vibrant Living Systems Institute and Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research. The candidate will be working very closely with members of the Yang lab (including the principal investigator, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students) and our collaborative partners.

The successful applicant will be investigating the dynamics of neural signalling within the endocrine pancreas, and how specific neural signalling are altered in disease settings to impact the controlled release of hormones from the endocrine pancreas. The GRA will lead on projects funded by Wellcome, conduct experiments with live zebrafish, and present findings at international conferences. Relevant skills required for completing the research projects include zebrafish handling, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, molecular biology, whole-mount staining, in vivo microscopy, 4D image analysis, FACS, and bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. The candidate will have access to a supportive environment to advance their professional development and the opportunity to learn the relevant skills to complement their current skillset in a multidisciplinary institute.

Notably, the successful candidate may have the option of enrolling as a PhD student, with the University (student tuition fees and research costs are fully funded) and we would welcome applications from candidates who are interested in undertaking a PhD thesis during the four-year period. Please see the additional personal requirements relating to this option in the job description.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

The successful applicants will be trained in cell biology or related discipline with experience in bioinformatics analysis and at least two of the following: zebrafish handling, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, molecular biology, confocal imaging and image analysis, flow cytometry, and/or library preparation for RNA sequencing. You will be working at our multi-disciplinary Living Systems Institute and will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

For further information please contact Dr. Yu Hsuan Carol Yang, e-mail y.c.yang@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is 19 November 2025. Interviews are expected to take place 2-weeks following the closing date.